Automatic musical instrument.



No. 634,601. Patented Dot. I0, |899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application led Oct. l5, 1898., (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No, 634,60I. Patented Oct. I0, |899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1.898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT MORRIS S. IVRIGIIT, OF IVORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,601, dated October l0, i899. Application filed October 15,1898. Serial No. 693,589. (No model T0 all whom, it Hefty concern.-

Be it known that I, MoRRIs S. WRIGHT, of the city and county of \Vorcester andv State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l represents a vertical transverse section through so much of a reed instrument as is necessary to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 represents upon an enlarged scale a horizontal section through part of the secondary channel-board, taken on line c, Fig. l, also showing a plan of several pairs of the primary pneumatics hereinafter described. All the following` figures are also upon an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the secondary channelhoard, taken on line l), Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. @t is a vertical longitudinal section through part of one of the tone-chambers, taken on line c, Fig. l, showing a front View of some of the secondary pneumatics in said tone-chamber. Fig. 5 is an enlarged View of part of the sectional view shown in Fig. l. Fig. G is a horizontal 'section through part of the secondary channel-board, taken on line d, Fig. l, showing a top view of part of one of the tone-chambers and some of the flexible pneumatic cut-off valves thereof. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section, upon a still larger scale than the previous iigures, through part of the primary channel-board and mechanism for operating the primary pnenmatics, taken on line c, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 8 shows a piece of perforated sheet-musi'c, such as is used in connection withmy improved instrument.

This invention relates to reed instruments, and more particularly to automatic reed instru ments in which a perforated sheet of music is used for producing the different tones of a tune played thereon. It may also have combined therewith the usual keys and connections for operating the instrument by hand, and may also, if desired, be connected by means of suitable mechanism with one or more key or string instruments combined with the automatic part of the instrument; but as said connecting 1n echauism, with other instruments, is not covered by this invention the same is not shown or described.

Said invention consists of certain improvements in the construction and arrangement of the primary pneumatic system in connection with other parts of the instrument, whereby air admitted through different sizes and shapes of openings in the sheet-music and con ducted through a single opening and chan-v nel in the primary channel-board to said pneumatics will operate two of them independently, one of each pair of said pneumatics being operated by the wide openings in said sheet-music to produce the solo or melody tones of a tune and the other bythe narrow openings to produce the accompaniments thereto, each of said pairs of primary pneumatics also independently operating one and the same reed corresponding to said single opening and channel in said primary channel-board, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to better understand the nature and purpose thereof, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail.

My invention, as aforesaid, relating more particularly to automatic musical inst-ruments, I will describe my improvements as applied thereto,and for convenience the sheetmusic will be described as having two widths of openings; but I do not limit myself to this number or tothe shape thereof in practice.

In the drawings, A represents the musicbox, which is mounted on the outer end of the primary channel-board or trackerboard B, and is provided with the rolls O O, over which the perforated sheet-music D is placed, the same being drawn from one roll to the other over the mouthpiece B of said primary channel-board by suitable mechanism, which is not shown, the same not constituting a part of my invention. Said musicbonY lis also provided with the glass front B2, through which to view the sheet-music as it passes over the openings B3 in the mouthpiece B'. The primary channel-board extends from near the glass front B2 of the music-box to the secondary channel-board Il and is provided with the channels B, extending from IOO the openings B2 in the mouthpiece l5 to under the primary pneumatics F G, which are arranged in this instance on an elevated part or block B5 of said primary channel-board. The series of primary pneumatics F G are arranged in pairs, in this instance transversely, or crosswise of said raised part or block B5, and each pneumatic of each pair is connected, by means of the vertical wires F G', with the cut-off or switch valves F2 F3 and G2 G2 of their respective wind-chests Fiand G4. When the pneumaiics are lowered or are in their normal positions, as is shown in the drawings, the cut-off or switch valves F2 G2 close the airoutlets F5 and G5, respectively, of the channels FJl and G6 of said wind-chests which conneet with the vertical channels E E2 in the secondary channel-board E, and when said pneumatics are lifted by the air admitted through the openings in the sheet-music, as hereinafter described, the cut-off valves F2 G3 close the air-outlets F7 G7, respectively, of said wind-chests. Fach wind-chest passage FG G6 and channel E E2 is respectively connected, by means of passages or chanuelsfg in the tone channel-board H, with the space l back of eachsecondarypneumatic J. Therefore, as will be seen, each primary pneu matie of each pairis separately connected with one and the same secondary pneumatic J in the tone-chamber L, so that either one may operate the same independently, and thus independently operate the reed-valve K, which is connected by means of the wire K with said secondary pneumatic J. The air-pressure between the wind-chests and tone-chambers may be cut-off or opened as usual by the operation of the stops7 M N, which in praetice are mechanically connected with the long cut-off valves O O, arranged to come over the openings of the channels fg at the top and bottom edges of the tone channel-board H, flexible pneu matic-valves O O also being used over said openings under the valves O O to form a connection between one channel f and the other g of each pair when said valves O are open. As said stop connections do not constitute a part of my invention, it will be unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same.

The mechanism whereby one or the other of the primary pneumatics F G is independently raised by air passed through two different widths of openings D D2 in the sheetmusic and thence through a single opening and channel in the primary channel-board to each pair of said pneumatics, as previously stated, is constructed and arranged as follows: Just in front of the pneumatic F of each pair is arranged a pneumatic cut-off or switch device similar to those of the regular primary pneu matics and their cut-offs in the wind-chests. A pneumatic P is arranged in the top of the primary channel-board B under the front end of its raised portion D5, to which air is admitted from the single channel B1 through an opening P. The vertical. wire stem P2 ofsaid pneumatic extends up through the front end of said raised part or block D, and at about the centerof the latteris formed a separate horizontal chamber P'"s for each pair of pneumatics F G. (See Figs. 5 and 7.) In line with each pair of pneumatics F G and central with the stem P2 are formed air outlets or openings t t' from the top and bottom of said chamber P2, the top opening t, connecting with a channel j, communicating with the under side of pneumatic F, and the bottom opening z, with a channel 7u, extending to the under side ot' pneumatic G. The channelj is provided with a vent 7" and the channel /U' with a vent 7e for the purpose hereinafter described. Each opening B"L in the primary channel-board is also connected with each central chamber P2 in the block B5 by means of a channel Z. (See dotted lines in said Figs. 5 and 7.) Upon the stem P2 of pneumatic P are mounted two cut-oil or switch valves m n, the valve m serving to cut off the escape of air from chamber P2 through the bottom opening' 't to the pneumatic G when the parts are in their normal positions, as is shown in the drawings, and the valve n to cut off the air to the other pneumatic F when the pneumatic P is raised, as hereinafter described.

In practice the foregoing parts are so constructed and arranged in relation to each other that when a small volume of air enters and passes through the channel B1 into the chamber P2, the same being insufficient in power to raise pneumatic P to close valve n, it will pass up through opening 7L and lift the pneumatic F without operating the other pneumatic G; but when a larger volume of air and of greater power is admitted, sufficient to raise pneumatic P, the latter is quickly lifted, thereby closing the opening t and opening the air-outlet '12. This permits said air to pass down through said outlet t' and through channel 7e' to operate the pneumatic G without operating the pneumatic F. In order to accomplish the above result, the vent-openings] 7e' must be so proportioned to the narrow and wide openings in the sheetmusic as to permit the air-pressure in the channels to lift its respective pneumatic without raising the other--as, for instance, the opening in the vent 7u' must be so proportioned to the narrow openings D2 in the sheet-music that it never permits the pressure in channel Vli; to lift pneumatic G. The pneumatic F, being the low-pressure pneumatic, or, in other words, the one operated by air admitted through the small openings D2 in the sheet-music, is provided with a large disk F, while the high-pressure pneumatic G, or the one operated by air admitted through the wide openings D in said sheetmusic, is provided with a smaller disk G for the purpose of conforming to said different degrees of air-pressure and obtain a proper operation of the parts, less pressure, itis obvious, being required in practice to lift a IOO IIO

pneumatic having a large disk than for one having a small disk.

It will be understood that in practice when the instrument is being played the music-box, wind-chests, and tone-chambers are supplied with air under equal pressure by the usual means. Therefore when any of the stops are drawn and the valves O are opened a free circulation of air existing between the windchests and the back of the secondary pneumatics in the tone-chambers connected with the stops that were drawn effects an equilibrium of the air forces on two sides of said secondary pneumaties,and they therefore rem ain stationary until one or the other of the primary pneumatics F G is operated to close its wind-chest valve and open one of the outlets F or G5. The pressure then being removed back of one of the pneumatics J, the air in the tone-chamber forces it back, thereby pulling open the reed-valve K and operating the reed Q.

The operation of the instrument may be briefly summed up as follows: Assuming that the air-pressure is applied and the perforated sheet-music is being drawn over the openings in the mouthpiece B/ of the primary channel-board, also that the necessary stops have been drawn to open the cut-oit valves O, when a wide opening D/ in said sheet-music arrives over one of the openings inthe mouthpiece, a large volume of air being admitted, the pneumatic P is lifted, thereby causing the high-pressure primary pneumatic G to be operated, as previously described, and a solo or melody tone of the tune to be played. Several of said Wide openings may now come in succession over the same opening or both wide and narrow openings alternately, or in any other order, according to the tune to be played. 4When a narrow opening D2 arrives over said opening, insufcient air being admitted to raise the pneumatic P it passes up through opening hand operates the low-pressure pneumatic F without operating pneumatic G, and so on for each diiferent opening in the sheetmusic and primary channel-board. By thus operating two pneumatics from one primary channel and opening and one and the same reed by two primary pneumatics, each independently, as previously described, it will at once be apparent that bythe use of perforated sheet-music having two sizes of openings l am enabled to produce double the effectwith sheet-music of only the ordinary width employed for this class of instruments of that usually obtained with sheet-music whose perforations are all the same width. To conform with said doubling in the capacity of the 1n usic within the usual width and to ohviate the nccessityof increasingthe length of the instrument above its usual length, l arrange each pair of the primary pneumatics F G alternately one above the other, each alternate pair in this instance bei ng on a level with the top of the primary channel-board block B5 and the others alittle above the level thereof,

as is shown in Figs. 2 and 7. By this arrangement, as will be seen, they may be arranged very close together laterally, only sufficient distance between them being necessary to receive the vertical wires or stems F G', as is shown in Fig. 2, thereby, as will also be seen, not materially increasing the -length required for a double row of pneumatics over that required for the usual singlerowin instruments as heretofore constructed. The additional expense of thus constructing an instrument is but triiing, while that of making the sheetmusic with two sets or widths of openings is practically the same as if only one width were made therein. On the other hand, the advantages derived by said improvements are of considerable importance in the manufacture of this class of instruments.

At the aforesaid trilling additional expense l am enabled to produce double the usual effeet in tones over instruments using sheetmusic of equal or about equal width to that which l employ, and the different variety of tones being confined to the usual width of sheet-music the person playing the instrument can more readily follow the music and manipulate the stops than if double the width is used, as in other patented devices, having one set of openings upon one sheet and another set upon another sheet, used side by side, or in one wide sheet double the usual width. Then, again, the objection of the openings in one sheet not properly traveling in unison with those in the other sheet, and thus not ar riving over the openings in the primary channel-board at the proper time to properly play the different tones of the tune in unison, which is liable to occur when two sheets are used side by side, and also the objections to shrinkage and swelling where wide paper in one piece is used, are, as will be seen, wholly removed by my invention. By saidinvention if the paper is properly cut and the stops properly manipulated results may be produced wholly unattainable by the use of double or wide sheet-music in the expression or quality of tones in playing the instrument, which result l have fully demonstrated in practice in the construction of an instrument embodying my'improvements.

I have described my invention as being operated by air under pressure; but l do not limit myself thereto, as the air-suction principle is equally applicable thereto. Iprefer, however, the air-pressure principle, as described.

Although, as previously stated, my invention is designed principally for automatic musical instruments, it may also be combined with the keys of a reed or pipe organ, each bank of keys being separately connected to operate one or the otherof the pneumatics of each transverse set-as, foi-instance, one keymanual may connect with the pneumatics F and another key-man ual with the pneumatics G. In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown the instrument as being connected with one IOO IIC

key-manual for operating one of the sets of pneumatics, as aforesaid, as well as with a music-box, which is the way the instruments are made in practice. Said key attachment is made by extending a branch BG of the primary channel-board down and connecting its channel with an ordinary wind-chest and valve device R, operated from the keys S in the usual way. As said construct-ion and operation are old and well understood, it will be unnecessary to enter into a detailed description thereof.

If desired, instead of arranging the primary pneumaties in pairs, as hereinbefore shown and described, three or more may in practice be arranged in a row or set without departing Afrom the principle of my invention, in which case the other parts would of course be likewise duplicated or modiiied in construction and the sheet-music made to conform therewith.

Having described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneu matics and having mounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing the instrument automatically, also the keys and connectionsforplaying said instrument by hand; in combination with the series of primary pneu matics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board, a single pneumatic, also arranged on said primary channel-board and connected with one of its channels, a double cut-oil or switch valve, arranged between said lastnamed single pneumatic and the pair of primary pneumatics and connected with said single pneumatic, a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cutoff or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said Valves separately connected with said primary pneu matics; a secondary channel -board, provided with two channels for each pair of wind-chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, the channelboard of said tone-chamber being' also provided with two, double channels and eut-oft valves for each secondary pneu matic, controlled by two stops 'for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a reed instrun'ient, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics, and having mounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing the instrument automatically, in combination with the series ot' primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board, a single pneumatic, also arranged on said primary channel-board and connected with one of its channels; a double cut-oit or switch valve,arran ged between said last-named single pneumatic and the pair of primary pneumaties and connected with said single pneumatic; a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cut-oft or switch valves,two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves' separately connected with said primary pneumatics, a secondary channelboard, provided with two channels for each pair ot' wind-chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and a tone-chamber, coiiitaining a series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, the channel-board ot said tone-chamber being also provided with two,double channels and cut-oft' valves for each secondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops for each tone-chamber, substantiz'tlly as and for the purpose set forth.

In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel i'or each pair of primary pneumatics, the series ot' primary pneumatics, mounted on said channel-board and arranged in pairs thereon, a single pneumatic, also arranged on said primary channel-board and connected with one of its channels; a double cut-oil? or switch valve, arrangedbetween said last- 'named single pneumatic and the pair of primary pneumatics, and connected with said single pneumatic; a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cutot't or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary nneumatics, and said valves separately connected with said primary pneumatics, a secondary channel-board, provided with two channels for each pair of wind-chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate, secondary pneuinat-ics and reed-valves, one oi' each for each primary channel and reed, the channel-board of said tone-chamber being also provided with two, double channels and cutoit valves foreach secondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

i. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel i'or each pair of primary pneumatics, a secondary channel-board and a double wind-chest, each provided with double connecting-channels, and said wind-chest with two, double, cut-oft' or switch valves for each pair of primary pneumatics, said valves being connected, one with each pneumatic of each pair; in combination with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board, a single pneumatic, also arranged on said primary channel-board and connected with one of its channels, and a double cut-oit or switch valve, arranged between said last-namcd single pneu- IOO IIO

IZO

and connected with said single pneumatic, off or switch Valve, arranged between said substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth. lastnamed single pneumatic and the pair of 5. In a musical instrument, the combina primary pneumatics, and connected Withsaid 5 tion of the primary channel-board, having single pneumatic, substantially as and for I5 one channel for each pair of primary pneuthe purpose set forth.

matic and the pair of primary pneumatics, with one of its channels, and a double cutmatics, with the series of primary pneumat- MORRIS S. VRIGHT. ics, arranged in pairs on said primary chani Witnesses: nel-board; a single pneumatic, also arranged A. A. BARKER,

[o on said primary channel-hoard and connected XV. B. NOURSE. 

